Auburn Runner Wins Bangor Race

By Owen Osborne

RK Notes – 1971 Labor Day Race…. Bangor Daily News, September 7, 1971.

Turning on a burst of speed over the last 100 yards, 35 year old Ralph Thomas of Auburn set a new course record of 25:43 in beating out 39-year old defending champion Walter Renaud of Orono to win the ninth annual Bangor five-mile road race Monday.

Renaud set the previous record of 25:58.8 a year ago and with approximately 300 yards to go held a thin lead over Thomas. But after rounding the final turn at the Bass Park oval, Thomas opened up to win by 30 feet. This was his fourth straight road race victory this season.

He barely missed being struck by an automobile on the way. He was in third place behind Joe Dahl of Yarmouth and Renaud on Harlow Street when a motorist pulled out of Cumberland Street after being warned by the police pace car. Thomas jumped to the sidewalk to avoid the car, returned to the street and appeared to increase his speed.

By the time the field reached 14th Street he was in the lead with Dahl in second, Renaud third and former winner Bob Hillgrove of Rockland fourth. On West Broadway Renaud moved to second place just a stride behind the leader. As they moved to the Bass Park track for one lap around, Renaud took the lead briefly. Thomas took command again and the lead changed hands three times before Thomas applied the steam in the strech.

It was a fitting finish to what entrants termed “the best field and best race yet.”

Renaud finished 25:46, followed by Dahl in 26:07; Hillgrove in 26:35; and Ken Flanders of Westbrook in 26:43.

All of them were awarded trophies as were Brian Lizotte, first Bangor Resident; Larry Greer of Cape Elizabeth, first High School Runner; and Phil Harmon of Bar Mills, first over 40 years.

Others receiving medals in the AAU sanction event sponsored by the Bangor Recreation Department were: Paul Thompson, Larry Greer, Neil Miner, Jeff Sanborn, Jeff Humphrey, Willard Deering, Russell Taylor, Richard Krause, Brian Lizotte and Paul Morneault.

A field of 36 answered the starter’s gun, including 64 year old John Cody of Hampden. He was checked by a physician prior to the race and finished the five-mile grind in 70 minutes. He became the oldest entrant to complete in the event.

Thomas, formerly of Old Town, said he was pleased with the cool weather. The race was held in a steady rain. “If it was ten degrees warmer, I wouldn’t have made it. Walter (Renaud) is a great competitor and a hard man to beat.” Renaud also paid tribute to the new champion stating, “This man is one of the best. He has great determination.” Renaud had been bothered by a back ailment but said he had no difficulty in the Bangor event.

Runners termed weather condition almost idea. It was a vast change from Sunday’s 80 degree plus temperature, hovering around 60 degrees.

All 35 entrants completed the race.